 By, Lauren Caron REALife Youth Director, Beauty Project Team leader If you’re anything like me, a working mom (mostly from home now) with two littles, 3 and under, you’re craving those date nights to get back into schedule somewhat consistently and some hubby one-on-one time! As things are slowly opening up more and more due to the COVID19 virus, you can now book a restaurant with a cute tent setup for outdoor dining… the only other thing you need, is a babysitter! I always like to keep a steady list of 3-5 girls that I use, so that there’s always someone available when I need them. It can definitely be hard to find someone you trust that checks all of your boxes! What’s the best way to find a sitter in the first place?
Now that you have a sitter, are your kids excited for her (or him) to come or are they clingy and crying for you at the door begging you not to leave? Usually my kids will be happy to have someone come play with them, but occasionally, my youngest, won’t be too happy about it and I have to find something to distract her with in order to get out the door. So whatever that means for your child, it could be a snack or treat, or their favorite show or toy… just make sure not to linger too long or it just makes it worse for them. Usually my babysitter will tell me she stopped crying within a minute or two and then was happily playing. So don’t let it guilt you into worrying! And it will get easier each time, especially if they’re not used to having someone new watch them. You can also order a pizza or tell them they can have ice cream later (also works for bigger kids) and they think it’s a fun, special night for them as well!  I always like to be prepared and have all instructions written out on the kitchen counter about food, bottles, bedtime routines, and emergency numbers, as well as telling the sitters in person , so that it’s all clearly laid out for them. If you happen to have a teen who babysits, you can pass along that moms usually love a text with a picture of happy children half way through the night, or any updates, to put our minds at ease. In addition, we appreciate when we come home and find all the toys cleaned up and any dishes used, washed or in the dishwasher, so we don’t have to do it at the end of the night ☺. That usually comes with a tip for them! Lol, so go ahead and schedule that date night out, you’ll be so glad you did!
Is fear or anxiety holding you back from booking a babysitter and leaving the kiddies at home? Fear is one of the enemy’s most popular weapons that he uses against us. Scripture says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your decision making when finding a babysitter and when choosing the best time to leave the kids at home :) Are there any other tips that have worked for you? Is there anything else preventing you from taking the plunge with leaving the kids home with a babysitter for the first time? I’d love to hear from you.
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 From Founder, April Sliwak
Have you gotten used to coexisting with COVID19 yet? It seemed like that’s what we were doing this summer. From what I saw, people were out socializing, vacationing and at the Jersey shore. There didn’t seem to be fear but rather compliance and an understanding of how to cautiously get back to normal as it looks today. It appeared people felt more comfortable than when the quarantine was in affect. In March, the pandemic was upon us and we were mandated into a quarantine. I remember feeling a stillness, unsure of even what tomorrow would bring as we were learning more about the virus. Post surgery, (from my kidney transplant), my immune system became compromised so that caused me to have an underlying feeling of uncertainty and fear of losing the new kidney I was gifted. Events and gatherings of every kind were being canceled or postponed including our event, The Beauty Project for teen girls. There were disappointments in people’s lives due to COVID19 including us at Her Life Speaks. What I want you to know: In the fall of 2019 at a Leadership Getaway, we felt God calling us to host The Beauty Project instead of the annual retreat for two reasons; 1. We were all in agreement that this year the BP should take precedence as we felt convicted to pour God’s truth into their lives was a priority. 2. As a 100% volunteer based ministry, we felt we had to choose between the two events. In prayer, we saw God leading us to the BP. While we were in quarantine, our efforts and focus were all on the BP which was to take place on Oct. 3, 2020. We postponed the launch a few times as we all waited on the Lord in prayer and fasting to see when would be the right time. Once we launched in July we continued to plan and move forward which included marketing and a monthly newsletter in your inbox. However, by now, you probably know that we are postponing the BP until the spring. Why am I writing to you? To acknowledge that as we were putting our attention into the BP, we may have lost sight of everyone else! Please forgive us if you may have felt that way. Another reason you may have felt this way was because I felt less engaged. I didn’t realize it for a long time but I was still recovering from surgery in December 2018. This took me by surprise as I was told over and over again that it would take a year to feel myself. But for me it was much longer. Therefore, the BP was all I could focus on as I had little energy for anything else. I’m being vulnerable by wanting to be transparent with you. The Lord taught me a few things about vulnerability this summer which is why I write to you now. But God. God continues to heal me and also is moving within the ministry. He has given us a fresh vision to serve women and the teens AND bring a new team of young women whose calling is aligned with the mission of Her Life Speaks. Moving ahead, we’re super excited to connect with you through storytelling, worship, small groups, prayer, social media and Zoom. We’re working really hard to be better at connecting with you online until we can see one another in person again. We all really miss you! We remember you in our prayers, plans and in our calling to serve you. Love, April xx Reading is a wonderful way to clear your mind and unwind. Relax and unwind these last few weeks of summer by checking out the below book recommendations!
Non Fiction:
 By, Vanessa Marie
Like many, I had big plans for 2020. I was going to write a ton of new songs and perform them all throughout NY and NJ, I was planning a fun trip to Florida with my best friends, and the biggest of all… I was going to get married in June. Then, what seemed out of nowhere, COVID19 struck the world. However, our God isn’t an “out of nowhere” type of God. He is a God of order and peace (1 Cor 14:33). Everything that happens is under the control of God and if there is one thing the EVERYONE learned during this pandemic, was that we are in control of nothing! ROMANS 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. It’s not up to us to understand what God is doing, but it is our responsibility to trust that what He is doing is for a greater purpose and ultimately will be what is best for us. Inevitably, about 80 days before my wedding on June 6th, we postponed. I threw myself a pity party for about 5 minutes and then I worshiped. I knew God had this entire situation under his control and that, truly, everything happens for a reason. I know God isn’t going to just let my wedding be cancelled. I know that when we are able to have our wedding it will be that much more special and God will be glorified. I think our guests will have a new appreciation for being able to celebrate together and perhaps be that much more open to hearing the Gospel. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I feel so much comfort knowing that God is in control of this situation and I feel so lucky that during this crazy time in the world, that I know Jesus. I am not experiencing the same anxiety, uncertainty or hopelessness I notice a lot of others expressing. I have the peace of God within me, something that surpasses human understanding. Peace is a promise from God, and he never breaks his promises (Hebrews 6:18). I rejoice knowing that God is with me even during a pandemic. Though it may seem like we are in deep waters, the Lord will not let us drown. Matthew 6:34 (MSG) Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. I still don’t know if I will be able to have my wedding in the near future or when this virus will go away. But I do know that during this period of waiting, God is calling me closer to Him. He is teaching me to be disciplined in keeping my focus on Him at all times. To not get distracted by what “might” happen. He is giving me an opportunity to have more time to talk with Him, be in His word, fellowship with & care for others, and to simply watch him do His work and prepare me for the work that He will lead me to do. It’s not my job to worry; it’s my job to worship. Each day of waiting is another opportunity to trust God - and great is His faithfulness! As I’ve jumped into the Scripture over these past few months I’ve asked God to reveal himself to me and to teach me His way. I pray that these verses will strengthen your faith as you wait, as they have strengthened mine. What has God taught you in this period of waiting?  Hey beautiful and faithful Moms of Teen Girls!
If I asked you to write a letter of encouragement to your younger self, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? (Pause) Do any of these resonate: “There was purpose in what you went through and God used it for good.”, “God was always with you. You were never alone, beloved. His hand was on you.”, “Yes, “it” was hard. You were lonely and didn’t have anyone to talk to. But Jesus died for the brokenhearted to heal and redeem. That’s what you are today, free, redeemed, and guilt free.”. These are only some of the things I wrote in my letter to my younger self. I encourage you to write a letter of affirmation to your younger self as a blessing too. Her Life Speaks is hosting a NJ event for teen girls called The Beauty Project which came from a vision God gave me as I started to heal from my adolescence. As God redeemed each part of my hurt and suffering he showed me that girls today don’t have to live by the same lie that I believed which was, I didn’t have a choice. I thought I was supposed to go along with the crowd or act out the behaviors I saw in the movies. “Girls just want to have fun”... don’t we? I learned on my own how to get the attention and love I needed. My vision is for teen girls to know they have a choice on the decisions they make, that girls know they are God’s Masterpiece, He loves them and values them so much that He created them for his purpose, and wants a relationship with them. I wish someone told me that and now we will. Your daughter will be empowered to know Jesus as their best friend and equip them to make healthy decisions that intentionally line up with his purpose for them. At the Beauty Project we are creating a fun and festive experience for teen girls to understand their true worth and value by way of using God’s promises for their lives. We’re going to girl talk about faith, friendships and fashion! They’ll make storyboards, enjoy lite bites and get up close with our new worship leader! Moms, this is the kind of event we wish we all had growing up! The girls will all hear the same word and can hold each up with accountability and support. They will make wiser decisions knowing their value because of Jesus. They will be empowered to live in confidence and to own their choices over what social media tempts them with. We CAN do this together! Please make this a priority in your daughter’s schedule and bring her with a group of friends. You’ll be so glad you did. Hopefully, her letter-to-self will look much differently than ours. I’ll take that bet. Together, let’s lay that foundation in her heart that she can depend on forever. #Jesus Love, April Sliwak Founder xx |
StoriesHer Life Speaks is all about Her testimony, Her life, and who God is in Her story. Here we write our stories in hopes of helping other women find their relationship with Jesus Christ. Archives
September 2020
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